SA: Da Capo bags Ibiza’s DJ Awards gong

DJ Da Capo triumphed against fellow South African artists Culoe De Song, Hyenah and Floyd Lavine as well as andhim (Germany) and Osunlade (US).

Black Coffee, the only African artist who was nominated in the International DJ category, lost to UK’s Carl Tox. Other heavyweights who were nominated in the top category are Adam Beyer (Sweden), Claptone (Germany), Jamie Jones (Wales), Joseph Capriati (Italy), Luciano (Chile/Switzerland), Nina Kraviz (Russia), Paul van Dyk (Germany), Ricardo Villalobos (Chile/Germany), Richie Hawtin (UK/Canada), Seth Troxler (US), Solomun (Bosnia/Germany) and Sven Väth (Germany).

Another South African artist Themba also lost the Breakthrough award to Ukranian duo ARTBAT. London-based artist Michael Bibi won the Tech House award while Belgian disc jockey Charlotte de Witte became the first female artist to win the Techno gong. Germany DJ Stephan Bodzin and US artist Eric Estornel came tops in the Electronic Live Performer and Melodic House & Techno categories respectively.

“Captured the kryptonite, once again this is for the dacapolics,” DJ Da Capo wrote on Instagram. “Thank you.”

In an interview with Music In Africa last month, Da Capo was sceptical about winning the award: “It’s a challenge for me because these are people that I feel are bigger than me or my brand in Europe. I must say this is a very heavy category for someone who is starting to be known in Europe. So I'm definitely looking forward to it and I am giving the guys a challenge for the competition.”

The organisers said: “It was not only an important night for those who walked away with one of the coveted Kryptonite awards, but also the event itself taking on an important theme to support No More Plastic. Working together with our Eco Partner Oceanic Global, to help create awareness to the industry, whilst building on Ibiza's commitment to eco-conscious change.

“The 22nd edition saw members of the public covering all five continents, as well as a panel of industry experts, cast their votes across 14 music categories that boasted 120 nominees. Amongst the winners were some of the biggest names in dance music, as well as exciting newcomers and tastemakers.”

View the full list of winners here.